The industrial application of technical urea
The industrial application of technical urea is as crucial as its agricultural uses, but how do we make sure we use it correctly? What are the methods of the industrial application of technical urea?
Knowing these questions will help us produce high-quality products and maintain their effective production. This article explains the necessary knowledge about technical urea in manufacturing and its use process.
What is urea?
Urea (carbamide, chemical formula CO (NH2)2), made from ammonia and carbon dioxide, is a crucial chemical in agriculture and polymer industries. This white, odorless solid dissolves in water, is nearly non-toxic and has a neutral pH in the solution.
Urea is the world’s most widely used nitrogen fertilizer and the most produced organic chemical by mass. With 46% nitrogen content, it is the most concentrated nitrogen fertilizer available.
Urea comes in free-flowing prills (granules), making it easy to handle, transport, and resistant to caking. Its affordability and practicality make it especially popular in developing countries.
While over 90% of urea is used as fertilizer, the industrial application of technical urea shows that it also has diverse applications in other industries, including resins, adhesives, cosmetics, and medical products, making it a highly versatile compound.
Non-agricultural uses of urea
Beyond its role as a fertilizer, technical urea is widely used as a raw material in various industries. The industrial application of technical urea plays a key role in the production of plastics, resins, and adhesives. For instance, urea-formaldehyde resins are commonly used in making particle boards and plywood.
Additionally, urea is essential in producing diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), which helps reduce nitrogen oxide emissions in diesel vehicles. Here there is a list of non-agricultural uses of urea and industrial-grade urea applications.
Industrial Applications
- Resins and Polymers: Essential for producing urea-formaldehyde resins and adhesives.
- Explosives: Utilized in making urea nitrate explosives and as a stabilizer for nitrocellulose explosives.
- Printing and Coloring: Added to enhance the effectiveness of industrial printing and dyes.
- Fire Safety: Acts as a flame retardant in chemical fire detection systems.
Consumer Products
- Cosmetics: Found in skincare products to improve hydration and maintain moisture.
- Teeth Whitening: A key ingredient in whitening products.
- Soaps and Detergents: Included in formulations for enhanced cleaning.
- Cigarette Additive: Used to enhance flavor.
Automotive and Environmental Uses
- Automotive Systems: Plays a role in reducing emissions in diesel engines.
- Deicing Agent: Used as antifreeze on airport runways and streets.
Scientific and Medical Applications
- Protein Solubility: Increases solubility of certain proteins in lab research.
- Pharmaceuticals: Used in medications, including those for inducing abortion.
Its versatility makes it an indispensable component in non-agricultural uses of urea.
Technical urea uses in industry and its specifications
Based on the industrial application of technical urea, urea is widely used across various industries. In resin production, it is essential for manufacturing urea-formaldehyde and urea-melamine-formaldehyde resins used in particle boards and plywood.
In industrial processes using technical urea, Urea plays a key role in reducing diesel engine emissions through systems like BlueTec, enhancing protein solubility in labs, and treating skin conditions with urea-based creams. It’s also used for kidney function tests, animal feed, road deicing, food browning, cosmetics, cloud seeding, flame retardants, tooth whitening, ethanol production, and textile dyeing, highlighting its versatility across industries.
Industrial urea specifications
Technical Urea, based on the industrial application of technical urea, contains a minimum nitrogen content of 46% and has a biuret content of no more than 0.5%. The moisture content is capped at 0.5%, with free ammonia levels not exceeding 160 ppm. The granule size ranges from 2-4 mm, with at least 90% of the product falling within this size range.
It appears as white crystalline granules, has a melting point between 132-135°C, and is highly soluble in water. The pH of a 10% solution falls between 7.2 and 7.5, with a purity level of 99.5% or higher and a density of 1.33 g/cm³. The product has a shelf life of 12 months from the production date.
Advantages of technical urea
There are some notable benefits to the industrial application of technical urea which are explained below.
- High Nitrogen Content: Contains 46% nitrogen, promoting healthy plant growth and increasing agricultural productivity.
- Cost-Effective Fertilizer: More affordable than other nitrogen fertilizers, making it a practical option for large-scale farming.
- Versatility: Used in agriculture, industry (plastics, adhesives, resins), and automotive applications (reducing NOx emissions in diesel engines through SCR).
- Quick-Acting: Converts to ammonium and nitrate in soil, providing fast nitrogen for plant growth and higher crop yields.
- Improved Soil Health: Enhances soil fertility, especially in nitrogen-deficient soils, boosting crop yields and soil nutrient levels.
- Favorable for Various Crops: Suitable for cereals, vegetables, and fruits can be applied directly to the soil or through irrigation systems.
- Environmental Benefits in Industry: Helps reduce NOx emissions in vehicle exhaust, reducing air pollution.
- Stable Storage: Easier to store and handle compared to other nitrogen fertilizers like ammonium nitrate.
Where to buy technical urea?
Urea is a synthetic organic compound made from ammonia and carbon dioxide. Urea in industrial-grade applications is used as a feedstock in various industrial processes, including the production of melamine, glues, and resins for particleboard manufacturing, as well as a NOx reduction agent in automotive systems.
Petro Arkan provides effective and high-quality technical urea for industrial purposes. Industrial application of technical urea shows that using a high-quality product is a key factor in industries. So, Petro Arkan is absolutely a reliable source for this product.
Summary
Technical urea, a highly nitrogenated product, is an extremely useful substance, used in different industries and agricultural fields. Its benefits make this product its versatility and quick acting make technical urea a great source producing raw materials.
FAQ
- What is the formula of technical urea?
H2NCONH2
- Is technical urea an organic compound?
Yes, it is.
- What is the main use of industrial urea?
Manufacturing chemicals.
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